Books About the Matterhorn
I am highlighting a few of the books about the Matterhorn that I have come across and enjoyed, whether histories of the mountain and its environs or early accounts, mere incidental but interesting mentions or indeed relevant and up to date guidebooks for active use by the hillwalker, climber or casual mountain tourist.
- Are you planning a trip to the Matterhorn or are you simply looking for the best information on the mountain to write your own tales?
- Wherever possible the book links below should lead to pages giving the option of Hardcover / Paperback / Kindle Edition
The history of the Matterhorn is key to the evolution of mountaineering. First climbed in the nineteenth century by Edward Whymper, during the golden age of European Mountaineering, the Matterhorn represents the embodiment of the challenge of climbing mountains. This pyramid of rock and snow, rises from the Swiss and Italian landscape like no other mountain and has become an iconic image on chocolate boxes and advertising posters around the world.
The name of Edward Whymper is inextricably linked with this alp and evident in the number of books focussing on him and his achievements as an alpinist.
Bestsellers
Read about Whymper's feats in his own carefully studied words. An Alpine Classic!
Comprehensive and scholarly biography of the first man to climb the Matterhorn.
Hard to find and well researched biography of early Matterhorn pioneer, Edward Whymper.
Pictorial classic from the renowned French writer and climber.
History of the Matterhorn
The classic work on the Matterhorn, originally published in 1908.
Seminal work on the history of mountain climbing with details of important 19th Century climbs.
EARLY ACCOUNTS
Mummery was an important 19th C climber who ascended many important Alpine routes.
GUIDEBOOKS
The bible for beginners and pros; easy to follow clear descriptions of the alpine 4000m peaks
Great descriptions of alpine trails, extended trips and easy day walks; high quality, two-colour route maps and planning advice with details on transport and accommodation.
A great guide to walking in the Alps and the most interesting places to visit.
A guide to the classic Chamonix to Zermatt trek, from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn, in the northern slopes of the Pennines Alps, described in 14 stages